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Auto alternatives for the 21st centuryTue, 03 Mar 2015 19:06:40 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.2Will GM Build A Hybrid Corvette?http://www.hybridcars.com/will-gm-build-a-hybrid-corvette/
http://www.hybridcars.com/will-gm-build-a-hybrid-corvette/#commentsFri, 30 Aug 2013 16:26:30 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=64266This week the LA Times reported GM President Mark Reuss stopped by its offices and positively responded to the idea of one day building a hybrid version of the Chevrolet Corvette. His receptiveness shows GM is on its toes as it looks ahead to looming efficiency regulations, and despite the fact the new C7 Stingray […]

]]>This week the LA Times reported GM President Mark Reuss stopped by its offices and positively responded to the idea of one day building a hybrid version of the Chevrolet Corvette.

His receptiveness shows GM is on its toes as it looks ahead to looming efficiency regulations, and despite the fact the new C7 Stingray is still a fresh release.

“Actually, don’t laugh,” Reuss said smiling in response to the query from the Times.

“I think it’s a very attractive idea, actually,” Reuss said. “I think it would be really fun to do, I think it would build capability inside our company and I think people would love it.”

The Corvette in present form is vying as a cost-effective alternative to much higher priced sports cars. It also is a top dog among other sports cars, and after 60 years of production, has icon status.

While it’s not considered in the same league as the new Ferrari La Ferrari or Porsche 918 Spyder or McLaren P1, all these cutting edge cars are hybrids, and they’re setting the tone as elites that the Corvette closely shadows for a fraction of their stratospheric price tags.

Like practically everything else in a world where many people want significant increases with each new generation, the next ‘Vette would surely exceed the present output of its 6.2-liter V8 that delivers 455 horsepower and 460 pounds-feet of torque.

The current vehicle employs cylinder deactivation to let it run as an effective 3.1 liter V4 at times when it is just cruising, and has seen upwards of 30 mpg on the highway in real world observations.

To increase the power and decrease the fuel usage, an electric motor and battery added to the engine could fill the bill.

Corvette fans largely consider it heresy to go with less than GM’s pushrod V8, so like other high-performance hybrids, this one would not want to sacrifice the core recipe. It would be about saving fuel to a point, but the ultimate goal of going faster would not be compromised.